Saudi Arabia implements public decency code as it opens to tourists

[Ockie]

I would not go there even if they paid for my flights and gave me free accomodation.

 

[TysonRoux]

Saudi Arabia to open itself up to foreign tourists for first time

Kingdom eyes holidaymakers as part of plan to diversify economy away from oil

www.theguardian.com

Saudi Arabia will begin offering visas on Saturday for the first time to non-religious tourists, days after the country was criticised at the UN for its grim human rights record.

The kingdom – which has imprisoned and tortured women’s rights activists, carries out regular public executions, and was responsible for the high-profile murder of the Washington Post columnist Jamal Kashoggi – has said it is opening up to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil.

The new visa programme for citizens of 49 countries, including the UK and the US, was announced by Saudi tourism officials, quickly followed by a Twitter campaign exhorting users to @VisitSaudiNow.

As part of the scheme, which promises to deliver a visa in seven minutes, female tourists will be exempted from wearing the all-covering abaya robe, but will be required to dress “modestly”.

 

[Gordon_R]

Saudi Arabia to open itself up to foreign tourists for first time

Kingdom eyes holidaymakers as part of plan to diversify economy away from oil

www.theguardian.com

Not sure I'd travel halfway around the world to see that one rock...

I did check, and they have 5 World Heritage sites: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_Saudi_Arabia

 

[TysonRoux]

Saudi Arabia will begin offering visas on Saturday for the first time to non-religious tourists, days after the country was criticised at the UN for its grim human rights record.

Atheists only?

 

[ForceFate]

Atheists only?

I've never heard of Christians/Jews/other religions going to Saudi on a religious pilgrimage (thus, receiving tourist visa).

 

[ForceFate]

Its says "tourists" - not "pilgrims".

They offered tourist visas to Muslims (only) going to Mecca. So the "tourists" were in fact pilgrims.

 

[vigras rojara]

Too bad lefties have become pro Islam in the past decade, that's exactly a lefty activist from a decade ago would of done.

Saudi is a right winger's wet dream though.

They have the death penalty, don't allow abortions etc. Exactly what many people on this here board clamour for on a daily basis.

 

[^^vampire^^]

I look forward to all the tourists in Saudi Jails for breaking some law they could never imagine would ever exist.
As for me, not a **** would I step foot in a country like that.

 

[NarrowBandFtw]

Can't find if SA is on the list.

Why would SA be on the list? Citizens of Saudi Arabia don't need visas to enter their own country ...

(this is the part where the nitpicking comes out to highlight that the 2 letter country code "SA" is actually Saudi Arabia, South Africa is "ZA" of course)

 

[grok]

Saudi is a right winger's wet dream though.

They have the death penalty, don't allow abortions etc. Exactly what many people on this here board clamour for on a daily basis.

Wake us up when these members start clamoring for honor killings, throwing gays off buildings and death to those infidels who move to Carbonite..

 

[ForceFate]

I look forward to all the tourists in Saudi Jails for breaking some law they could never imagine would ever exist.
As for me, not a **** would I step foot in a country like that.

/One day flying close to Riyadh...

"Mayday Mayday Mayday..." And land in Saudi

 

[Ancalagon]

Nothing like leaving the double-bed hotel room with my girlfriend for a spot of lunch with a glass of wine, then changing into a costume and bikini to walk hand in hand along the beach.

How well did the bikini fit you?

 

[Ancalagon]

Too bad lefties have become pro Islam in the past decade, that's exactly a lefty activist from a decade ago would of done.

Like that meme goes:
"Islam is right about women"

It's a contradiction that lefties cannot resolve.

 

[konfab]

Saudi is a right winger's wet dream though.

They have the death penalty, don't allow abortions etc. Exactly what many people on this here board clamour for on a daily basis.

Yet curiously, left wing statists want as much traditional Islamic culture to be bought into the West as possible.

 

[vigras rojara]

Wake us up when these members start clamoring for honor killings, throwing gays off buildings and death to those infidels who move to Carbonite..

It's a slow process, much like the frog in boiling water scenario.

Also, right wingers are better behaved in countries where they aren't the majority. Once they become the majority gay flinging and stuff could becomes the norm.

^^^ Sound familiar?

 

[TysonRoux]

Do you think that same sex married couples are welcome?

 

[John Tempus]

1. Public decency code
2. Public executions in 2019 - impaling, crucifixions, beheading.

Pick one.

Go fuk yourself Saudi Arabia.

"... but will be required to dress “modestly”.

Good luck women. If you want to gamble on any random determination of what "modestly" means to those governing a "kingdom" run like its the 15th century.

I really hope you don't float in the ocean, they might think your a witch.

 

[daveza]

I really hope you don't float in the ocean, they might think your a witch.

If she's made of wood ...

 

[TysonRoux]

Saudi Arabia allows foreign men and women to share hotel rooms

Alcohol remains banned.

www.sowetanlive.co.za

 

[Gordon_R]

Saudi Arabia allows foreign men and women to share hotel rooms

Alcohol remains banned.

www.sowetanlive.co.za

I read that yesterday on the BBC, but didn't think anyone on this forum would believe the story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49947515

Unmarried foreign couples will now be allowed to rent hotel rooms together in Saudi Arabia as part of a new visa regime announced by the religiously conservative kingdom.

Women will also be allowed to stay in hotel rooms alone.

Couples previously had to prove they were married before getting a hotel room.

The government move comes amid efforts by Saudi Arabia to grow its tourism industry.

What are the new changes?
In the past, couples had to provide documents proving marriage, but now these rules have been relaxed for foreigners.

"All Saudi nationals are asked to show family ID or proof of relationship on checking into hotels," the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage said in a statement.

"This is not required of foreign tourists. All women, including Saudis, can book and stay in hotels alone, providing ID on check-in."